Safety Tips When Using Teeth Whitening Products

Teeth whitening is a hugely popular procedure, and most of us feel better when we have a white and healthy looking smile, but how safe is it to whiten your teeth?

Before You Do Anything Get Your Teeth Thoroughly Checked
Before you undergo any kind of teeth whitening process it’s essential to get your teeth properly checked by your dentist. The reason for this is that any signs of gum disease or cavities need to be treated before you can use teeth whitening products. If you use these products on an unhealthy mouth, then you run the risk of making things worse, and it could be pretty painful!

Pick your Product Carefully
There is a huge range of products on the market, and not all are created equal. Make sure you choose a reputable product, and read some reviews before making your final choice. One of the first things to look at is the strength of the bleaching ingredients. Some products are stronger than others, but if it’s your first time using a teeth whitening kit then choose a product with a lower concentration. This is because teeth whitening products can sometimes cause sensitivity.

Follow the Instructions Carefully
The instructions aren’t merely a guideline, but are meant to be followed to the letter. Don’t be tempted to leave a product on any longer, as this won’t necessarily give you better results, but could lead to some unwanted side-effects. Only used the amount of bleaching gel recommended. You won’t get any better results by putting more in the trays, but you will run the risk of it squirting out into your mouth where it could cause damage to your gums and cheeks.

Choose the Best Fitting Bleaching Trays You Can
Whitening kits with properly fitting bleaching trays may be more expensive, but they’re well worth the extra money. They’ll help avoid the risk of the gel spilling out into your mouth, and irritating your gums and cheeks.

Take Care When Using Bleaching Gel
The bleaching gel contained in these kits can sometimes be quite strong, so apply a bit of common sense when using the product. If you drop it on your clothes, it will bleach them. You should avoid getting it in your eyes, and if you do spill any in your eyes, rinse them immediately with plenty of water.

Don’t Overuse Whitening Kits
The effects produced by home whitening kits can be pretty dramatic, and some people become addicted to the quest of achieving ever whiter teeth. This condition even has a name as they are known as bleachorexics. Make sure you don’t become one of them, as constantly over using these products could harm your teeth.
Once you have breached your teeth, you shouldn’t need to touch them for at least six months or so, possibly even longer, and even then they should only need a quick touch up.

In truth it should be relatively safe to whiten your teeth, so long as you follow these sensible precautions.

About the author

Alison, is a UK born and educated dental professional with over 25 years experience.

Teeth Whitening In The Media

"An hour or so later, I'm done. I sit up, rinse, and inspect my teeth. They are a full six shades lighter than before; not Hollywood white (which I did not want), but a satisfying shade of ivory"
"Tooth whitening means that it is possible to permanently lighten the colour of the teeth, whatever your age. The end result can be up to six shades lighter than your original colour"
"Teeth can improve over one to two treatments, but some people need repeated treatments over several weeks to get the best results"
"It won't kill you - but there's no denying that shiny white teeth are covetable. On television, yellow teeth are only sported by peasants, serial killers and Shane McGowan."
"A celeb smile doesn't necessarily mean a Hollywood price tag and lots of procedures are available to help you get the most out of your pearly whites. Anti-ageing "teeth-overs" are the quickest way to shed the years and change your image."
"Effects should last from six months to five years depending on how you treat your teeth afterwards. Surveys show that, provided you don't have gum disease or cavities, bleaching doesn't damage your teeth."
"Give teeth extra sparkle by whitening them at home. There are plenty of kits on the market. They work gently without peroxide to remove stains and are said to lighten teeth by several shades."

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